Insecticidal mixture containing gamma-cyhalothrin

ABSTRACT

An insecticidal mixture of gamma-cyhalothrin [(S)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl (Z)-(1R,3R)-3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-tzifluoro-1-propenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate] and one or more further active ingredients; compositions containing them and their use.

This invention relates to mixtures with insecticidal properties comprising two or more active ingredients, to compositions containing them and to methods of controlling unwanted pests using such mixtures or compositions. More particularly, the invention relates to mixtures containing gamma-cyhalothrin [(S)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl (Z)-(1R,3R)-3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate] and another compound having insecticidal, nematicidal, acaricidal, molluscicidal, fungicidal, plant growth regulating or herbicidal activity, to compositions containing the mixture and to insecticidal methods using such mixtures or compositions.

Compounds having insecticidal, nematicidal, acaricidal, molluscicidal, fungicidal, plant growth regulating or herbicidal activity are hereinafter referred to as active ingredients.

(S)-α-Cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl (Z)-(1R,3R)-3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate and its insecticidal activity was disclosed by Bentley et al, Pestic. Sci. (1980), 11(2), 156-64.

Combining gamma-cyhalothrin and one or more further active ingredients can provide useful biological effects such as synergy against important pests such as Heliothis virescens, Spodoptera littoralis and Myzus persicae.

There is therefore provided a mixture of gamma-cyhalothrin and one or more further active ingredients.

It is preferred that the further active ingredient, other than gamma-cyhalothrin is an active ingredient having insecticidal, nematicidal or acaricidal activity.

Examples of suitable insecticides that may be used as a further active ingredient in the mixture of the invention may be any compound selected from:

-   a) Pyrethroids, such as permethrin, cypermethrin, fenvalerate,     esfenvalerate, deltamethrin, cyhalothrin (in particular     lambda-cyhalothrin), bifenthrin, fenpropathrin, cyfluthrin,     tefluthrin, fish safe pyrethroids (for example ethofenprox), natural     pyrethrin, tetramethrin, s-bioallethrin, fenfluthrin, prallethrin or     5-benzyl-3-furylmethyl-(L-(1R,3S)-2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-oxothiolan-3-ylidenemethyl)cyclopropane     carboxylate or any of their insecticidally active isomers; -   b) Organophosphates, such as, methidathion, chlorpyrifos-methyl,     profenofos, sulprofos, acephate, methyl parathion, azinphos-methyl,     demeton-s-methyl, heptenophos, thiometon, fenamiphos, monocrotophos,     profenofos, triazophos, methamidophos, dimethoate, phosphamidon,     malathion, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, phosalone, terbufos,     fensulfothion, fonofos, phorate, phoxim, pirimiphos-methyl,     pirimiphos-ethyl, fenitrothion, fosthiazate or diazinon; -   c) Carbamates (including aryl carbamates), such as fenoxycarb,     alanycarb, pirimicarb, triazamate, cloethocarb, carbofuran,     furathiocarb, ethiofencarb, aldicarb, thiofurox, carbosulfan,     bendiocarb, fenobucarb, propoxur, methomyl or oxamyl; -   d) Benzoyl ureas, such as lufenuron, novaluron, noviflumuron,     teflubenzuron, diflubenzuron, triflumuron, hexaflumuron,     flufenoxuron or chlorfluazuron; -   e) Organic tin compounds, such as cyhexatin, fenbutatin oxide or     azocyclotin; -   f) Pyrazoles, such as tolfenpyrad, pyridaben, tebufenpyrad and     fenpyroximate; -   g) Macrolides, such as avermectins or milbemycins, for example     abamectin, emamectin benzoate, ivermectin, milbemycin, spinosad or     azadirachtin; -   h) Hormones or pheromones; -   i) Organochlorine compounds such as endosulfan, benzene     hexachloride, DDT, chlordane or dieldrin; -   j) Amidines, such as chlordimeform or amitraz; -   k) Fumigant agents, such as chloropicrin, dichloropropane, methyl     bromide or metam; -   l) Chloronicotinyl compounds such as diofenolan, clothianidin,     thiacloprid, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, acetamiprid, nitenpyram or     thiamethoxam; -   m) Diacylhydrazines, such as halofenozide, tebufenozide,     chromafenozide or methoxyfenozide; -   n) Diphenyl ethers, such as diofenolan or pyriproxifen; -   o) Indoxacarb; -   p) Chlorfenapyr; -   q) Pymetrozine; -   r) Diafenthiuron; -   s) Toxins of microbial origin such as Bacillus thuringiensis endo-     or exotoxins; -   t) Phenylpyrazoles such as fipronil, vanilliprole, etiprole or     acetoprole; or -   u) Pyridalyl.

In addition to the major chemical classes of pesticide listed above, other pesticides having particular targets may be employed in the mixture if appropriate for the intended utility of the mixture. For instance, selective insecticides for particular crops, for example stemborer specific insecticides (such as cartap) or hopper specific insecticides (such as buprofezin) for use in rice may be employed. Alternatively insecticides or acaricides specific for particular insect species/stages may also be included in the mixtures (for example acaricidal ovo-larvicides, such as clofentezine, flubenzimine, hexythiazox or tetradifon; acaricidal motilicides, such as dicofol or propargite; acaricides, such as acequinocyl, fenazaquin, spirodiclofen, etoxazole, bromopropylate or chlorobenzilate; or growth regulators, such as hydramethylnon, cyromazine, methoprene, chlorfluazuron or diflubenzuron).

Examples of suitable insecticide synergists insecticides that may be used as a further active ingredient in the mixture of the invention include piperonyl butoxide, sesamex, safroxan and dodecyl imidazole.

The further active ingredient is preferably one or more of thiamethoxam, abamectin, emamectin benzoate, spinosad, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, profenofos, lufenuron, indoxacarb, lambda-cyhalothrin, pymetrozine, pirimicarb, methidathion, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, thiacloprid, fipronil, methoxyfenozide, chlorfenapyr, pyridaben, novaluron, pyridalyl, propargite and piperonyl butoxide.

The further active ingredient is more preferably one or more of thiacloprid, fipronil, methoxyfenozide, spinosad, profenofos, chlorfenapyr, pyridaben, emamectin benzoate and indoxacarb; or it is one or more of thiamethoxam, abamectin, emamectin benzoate, spinosad, chlorpyrifos, profenofos, lufenuron, indoxacarb and lambda-cyhalothrin.

Examples of suitable fungicides that may be used as a further active ingredient in the mixture of the invention may be any compound selected from:

-   (E)-N-methyl-2-[2-(2,5-dimethylphenoxymethyl)phenyl]-2-methoxy-iminoacetamide     (SSF-129),     4-bromo-2-cyano-N,N-dimethyl-6-trifluoromethylbenzimidazole-1-sulphonamide,     α-[N-(3-chloro-2,6-xylyl)-2-methoxyacetamido]-γ-butyrolactone,     4-chloro-2-cyano-N,N-dimethyl-5-p-tolylimidazole-1-sulfonamide     (IKF-916, cyamidazosulfamid), -   3-5-dichloro-N-(3-chloro-1-ethyl-1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)-methylbenzamide     (RH-7281, zoxamide),     N-allyl-4,5,-dimethyl-2-tbimethylsilylithiophene-3-carboxamide     (MON65500),     N-(1-cyano-1,2-dimethylpropyl)-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionamide     (AC382042), N-(2-methoxy-5-pyridyl)-cyclopropane carboxamide,     acibenzolar (CGA245704), alanycarb, aldimorph, anilazine,     azaconazole, azoxystrobin, benalaxyl, benomyl, biloxazol,     bitertanol, blasticidin S, bromuconazole, bupirimate, captafol,     captan, carbendazim, carbendazim chlorhydrate, carboxin,     carpropamid, carvone, CGA41396, CGA41397, chinomethionate,     chlorothalonil, chlorozolinate, clozylacon, copper containing     compounds such as copper oxychloride, copper oxyquinolate, copper     sulphate, copper tallate and Bordeaux mixture, cymoxanil,     cyproconazole, cyprodinil, debacarb, di-2-pyridyl disulphide     1,1′-dioxide, dichlofluanid, diclomezine, dicloran, diethofencarb,     difenoconazole, difenzoquat, diflumetorim,     O,O-di-iso-propyl-S-benzyl thiophosphate, dimefluazole,     dimetconazole, dimethomorph, dimethirimol, diniconazole, dinocap,     dithianon, dodecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dodemorph, dodine,     doguadine, edifenphos, epoxiconazole, ethirimol,     ethyl(Z)-N-benzyl-N([methyl(methyl-thioethylideneamino-oxycarbonyl)amino]thio)-β-alaninate,     etridiazole, famoxadone, fenamidone (RPA407213), fenarimol,     fenbuconazole, fenfuram, fenhexamid (KBR2738), fenpiclonil,     fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, fentin acetate, fentin hydroxide,     ferbam, ferimzone, fluazinam, fludioxonil, flumetover, fluoroimide,     fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flutolanil, flutriafol, folpet,     fuberidazole, furalaxyl, furametpyr, guazatine, hexaconazole,     hydroxyisoxazole, hymexazole, imazalil, imibenconazole,     iminoctadine, iminoctadine triacetate, ipconazole, iprobenfos,     iprodione, iprovalicarb (SZX0722), isopropanyl butyl carbamate,     isoprothiolane, kasugamycin, kresoxim-methyl, LY186054, LY211795,     LY248908, mancozeb, maneb, mefenoxam, mepanipyrim, mepronil,     metalaxyl, metconazole, metiram, metiram-zinc, metominostrobin,     myclobutanil, neoasozin, nickel dimethyldithiocarbamate,     nitrothal-iso-propyl, nuarimol, ofurace, organomercury compounds,     oxadixyl, oxasulfuron, oxolinic acid, oxpoconazole, oxycarboxin,     pefurazoate, penconazole, pencycuron, phenazin oxide, phosetyl-A1,     phosphorus acids, phthalide, picoxystrobin (ZA1963), polyoxin D,     polyram, probenazole, prochloraz, procymidone, propamocarb,     propiconazole, propineb, propionic acid, pyrazophos, pyrifenox,     pyrimethanil, pyroquilon, pyroxyfur, pyrrolnitrin, quaternary     ammonium compounds, quinomethionate, quinoxyfen, quintozene,     sipconazole (F-155), sodium pentachlorophenate, spiroxamine,     streptomycin, sulphur, tebuconazole, tecloftalam, tecnazene,     tetraconazole, thiabendazole, thifluzamid,     2-(thiocyanomethylthio)benzothiazole, thiophanate-methyl, thiram,     timibenconazole, tolclofos-methyl, tolylfluanid, triadimefon,     triadimenol, triazbutil, triazoxide, tricyclazole, tridemorph,     trifloxystrobin (CGA279202), triforine, triflumizole, triticonazole,     validamycin A, vapam, vinclozolin, zineb and ziram.

Examples of suitable herbicides that may be used as a further active ingredient in the mixture of the invention may be any compound selected from:

-   -   A. 1,2,4-triazin-5-ones such as metamitron and metribuzin     -   B. dimethylpyrazoles such as benzofenap, pyrazolynate         (pyrazolate) and pyrazoxyfen.     -   C. acylanilides such as propanil     -   D. amide herbicides such as benfluamid, bromobutide,         carbetamide, flufenacet, isoxaben, naproanilide, napropamide,         naptalam, propyzamide and tebutam     -   E. amino acids and salts and esters thereof, such as bialaphos         and salts and esters thereof, glufosinate salts and esters         thereof, glyphosate and salts and esters thereof, and sulfosate.     -   F. aryloxypropionates, including the optically active isomers         thereof, such as clodinafop-propargyl, cyhalofop-butyl, diclofop         & esters thereof eg methyl ester, fenoxaprop & esters thereof eg         ethyl ester, fluazifop-butyl, haloxyfop and esters thereof,         propaquizafop, quizalofop and esters thereof and         quizalofop-p-tefuryl     -   G. arylanilides such as diflufenican, flamprop, flamprop-M and         esters thereof     -   H. arylureas such as chlorbromuron, chlorotoluron, daimuron         (dymron), dimefuron, diuron, fenuron, fluometuron, isoproturon,         isouron, linuron, methabenzthiazuron, methyldymron,         metobromuron, metoxuron, monolinuron, neburon and tebuthiuron     -   I. benzo-2,1,3-thiadiazin-4-onedioxides such as bentazone     -   J. benzoic acids such as 2,3,6-trichlorobenzoic acid, chloramben         and dicamba     -   K. bipyridyliums such as diquat and salts thereof, and paraquat         and salts thereof.     -   L. carbamates such as chlorpropham and propham, and         phenylcarbamoyloxyphenyl carbamates such as desmedipham and         phenmedipham     -   M. acetamides such as acetochlor, alachlor, butachlor,         dimethachlor, dimethenamid and isomers thereof, metazachlor,         metolachlor and isomers thereof, pretilachlor, propachlor,         propisochlor and thenylchlor.     -   N. cyclohexanediones such as alloxydim and salts thereof,         butroxydim, clethodim, cycloxydim, sethoxydim, tepraloxydim and         tralkoxydim.     -   O. dihalobenzonitriles such as dichlobenil     -   P. dinitrophenols such as dinoterb and dintro ortho-cresol         (DNOC)     -   Q. diphenyl ethers such as aciflurofen and salts and esters         thereof, aclonifen, bifenox, chlomethoxyfen, chlornitrofen,         fluroglycofen or salts or ester thereof, fomesafen, lactofen and         oxyfluorfen.     -   R. dinitroanilines such as dinitramine, ethalfluralin,         fluchloralin, oryzalin, pendimethalin, prodiamine and         trifluralin.     -   S. haloalkanoic herbicides such as dalapon and trichloroacetic         acid and salts thereof.     -   T. hydroxybenzonitrile (HBN) herbicides such as bromoxynil and         ioxynil, and HBN precursors such as bromofenoxim     -   U. hormone herbicides such as 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid,         2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxybutyric acid,         clopyralid, dichlorprop & dichlorprop-p, fluroxypyr,         4-chloro-2-methoxyacetic acid (MCPA), MCPA-thioethyl,         4-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)butyric acid (MCPB), mecoprop &         mecoprop-p, picloram, thiazopyr and triclopyr.     -   V. imidazolinones such as imazapic, imazamox,         imazamethabenz-methyl, imazapyr & isopropylammonium salts         thereof, imazaquin and imazethapyr.     -   W. methyl isothiocyanate precursors such as dazomet.     -   X. miscellaneous herbicides such as ammonium sulfamate, asulam,         azafenidin, benazolin, benzobicyclon/benbiclon, cinmethylin,         clomazone, difenzoquat & salts thereof eg methyl sulphate salt,         diflufenzopyr-sodium (SAN-835H), dimethipin, dimexyflam,         diphenamid, dithiopyr, epoprodan, ethofumesate, etobenzanid,         fluazolate, fentrazamide, flucarbazone, flumiclorac-pentyl,         flumioxazin, flupoxam, flurenol-butyl, flurochloridone,         flurtamone, fluthiacet-methyl, hexazinone, mefenacet, oxadiazon,         oxaziclomefone, pentoxazone, pyraflufen-ethyl,         pyridatol/pyridafol, pyridate, isoxachlortole, isoxaflutole and         sodium chlorate.     -   Y. organoarsenical herbicides such as disodium methylarsonate         (DSMA) and monosodium methylarsonate (SMA)     -   Z. organophosphorus herbicides such as anilofos and         fosamine-sodium     -   AA. phosphorothioates such as butamifos, bensuilde and         piperophos     -   BB. pyridazinones such as chloridazon and norflurazon     -   CC. pyridones such as fluridone     -   DD. pyrimidinyloxybenzoic acids and salts and esters thereof,         such as pyrithiobac-sodium, bispyribac-sodium,         pyriminobac-methyl and pyribenzoxim.     -   EE. quinolinecarboxylic acids such as quimerac and quinclorac     -   FF. herbicide antidotes such as benoxacor, cloquintocet-mexyl,         dichlormid, fenchlorazole-ethyl, fenclorim, fluxofenim,         furilazole, naphthalic anhydride, oxabentrinil,         mefenpyr-diethyl,         N-(dichloroacetyl)-1-oxaazaspirobicyclo-(4,5)-decane (AD-67),         3-dichloroacetyl-2,2,5-trimethyloxazolidine (R-29148) and         2-dichloromethyl-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane (MG-191).     -   GG. sulfamoylureas such as cyclosulfamuron.     -   HH. sulfonanilides such as chloransulam-methyl, diclosulam,         florasulam, flumetsulam and metosulam.     -   II. sulfonylureas such as amidosulfuron, azimsulfuron,         bensulfuron and esters thereof, chlorimuron & esters eg ethyl         ester thereof, chlorsulfuron, cinosulfuron,         ethametsulfuron-methyl, flazasulfuron, flupyrsulfuron and salts         thereof, halosulfuron-methyl, ethoxysulfuron, imazosulfuron,         iodosulfuron, metsulfuron and esters thereof, nicosulfuron,         oxasulfuron, primisulfuron & esters eg methyl ester thereof,         prosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, rimsulfuron,         sulfometuron-methyl, sulfosulfuron, thifensulfuron-methyl,         triasulfuron, tribenuron, tribenuron-methyl and         triflusulfuron-methyl     -   JJ. thiocarbamates such as butylate, cycloate, dimepiperate,         S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate (EPC), esprocarb, molinate,         orbencarb, pebulate, prosulfocarb, thiobencarb, tiocarbazil,         tri-allate and vernolate.     -   KK. triazine herbicides such as ametryn, atrazine, cyanazine,         dimethametryn, prometon, prometryn, propazine, simazine,         simetryn, terbuthylazine, terbutryn and trietazine.     -   LL. triazole herbicides such as amitrole.     -   MM. triazolinones such as carfentrazone-ethyl and sulfentrazone.     -   NN. triketones such as sulcotrione and mesotrione.     -   OO. uracils such as bromacil, lenacil and terbacil.

Examples of suitable plant growth regulators that may be used as a further active ingredient in the mixture of the invention may be any compound selected from ancymidol, chlormequat chloride, ethephon, flumetralin, flurprinidol, gibberellic acid, gibberelln A4/gibberellin A7, maleic hydrazide, mepiquat chloride, paclobutrazol, prohexadione calcium, thiadiazuron, trinexapac ethyl and uniconazole.

In order to apply the active ingredients to a pest, a locus of pest, or to a plant susceptible to attack by a pest, or, as a fungicide to a plant, to a seed of a plant, to the locus of the plant or seed, to soil or to any other growth medium, the active ingredients are usually formulated into a composition which includes, in addition to the active ingredients, a suitable inert diluent or carrier and, optionally, a surface active agent (SFA). SFAs are chemicals which are able to modify the properties of an interface (for example, liquid/solid, liquid/air or liquid/liquid interfaces) by lowering the interfacial tension and thereby leading to changes in other properties (for example dispersion, emulsification and wetting).

In one particular aspect the present invention therefore also provides novel insecticidal compositions comprising gamma cyhalothrin and one or more compounds possessing insecticidal, nematicidal, acaricidal, molluscicidal, fungicidal, plant growth regulating or herbicidal activity, an insecticidally inert carrier or diluent and, optionally, one or more surface active agents.

It is preferred that the ratio of gamma-cyhalothrin: other active ingredients is in the range 1:100 to 100:1 (for example 1:10 to 10:1) weight/weight.

It is preferred that the composition contains at least one compound other than gamma-cyhalothrin having activity against insects, acarines, or nematodes.

It is preferred that all compositions (both solid and liquid formulations) comprise, by weight, 0.0001 to 95%, more preferably 1 to 85%, for example 5 to 60%, of active ingredients. The composition is generally used for the control of pests or fungi such that the active ingredients are applied at a rate of from 0.1 g to 10 kg per hectare, preferably from 1 g to 6 kg per hectare, more preferably from 1 g to 1 kg per hectare.

When used in a seed dressing, the active ingredients are used at a rate of 0.0001 g to 10 g (for example 0.001 g or 0.05 g), preferably 0.005 g to 10 g, more preferably 0.005 g to 4 g, per kilogram of seed.

The formulated compositions can be chosen from a number of formulation types, including dustable powders (DP), soluble powders (SP), water soluble granules (SG), water dispersible granules (WG), wettable powders (WP), granules (GR) (slow or fast release), soluble concentrates (SL), oil miscible liquids (OL), ultra low volume liquids (UL), emulsifiable concentrates (EC), dispersible concentrates (DC), emulsions (both oil in water (EW) and water in oil (EO)), micro-emulsions (ME), suspension concentrates (SC), aerosols, fogging/smoke formulations, capsule suspensions (CS) and seed treatment formulations. The formulation type chosen in any instance will depend upon the particular purpose envisaged and the physical, chemical and biological properties of active ingredients.

Dustable powders (DP) may be prepared by mixing the active ingredients with one or more solid diluents (for example natural clays, kaolin, pyrophyllite, bentonite, alumina, montmorillonite, kieselguhr, chalk, diatomaceous earths, calcium phosphates, calcium and magnesium carbonates, sulphur, lime, flours, talc and other organic and inorganic solid carriers) and mechanically grinding the mixture to a fine powder.

Soluble powders (SP) may be prepared by mixing the active ingredients with one or more water-soluble inorganic salts (such as sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate or magnesium sulphate) or one or more water-soluble organic solids (such as a polysaccharide) and, optionally, one or more wetting agents, one or more dispersing agents or a mixture of said agents to improve water dispersibility/solubility. The mixture is then ground to a fine powder. Similar compositions may also be granulated to form water soluble granules (SG).

Wettable powders (WP) may be prepared by mixing the active ingredients with one or more solid diluents or carriers, one or more wetting agents and, preferably, one or more dispersing agents and, optionally, one or more suspending agents to facilitate the dispersion in liquids. The mixture is then ground to a fine powder. Similar compositions may also be granulated to form water dispersible granules (WG).

Granules (GR) may be formed either by granulating a mixture of the active ingredients and one or more powdered solid diluents or carriers, or from pre-formed blank granules by absorbing the active ingredients (or a solution thereof, in a suitable agent) in a porous granular material (such as pumice, attapulgite clays, fuller's earth, kieselguhr, diatomaceous earths or ground corn cobs) or by adsorbing the active ingredients (or a solution thereof, in a suitable agent) on to a hard core material (such as sands, silicates, mineral carbonates, sulphates or phosphates) and drying if necessary. Agents which are commonly used to aid absorption or adsorption include solvents (such as aliphatic and aromatic petroleum solvents, alcohols, ethers, ketones and esters) and sticking agents (such as polyvinyl acetates, polyvinyl alcohols, dextins, sugars and vegetable oils). One or more other additives may also be included in granules (for example an emulsifying agent, wetting agent or dispersing agent).

Dispersible Concentrates (DC) may be prepared by dissolving the active ingredients in water or an organic solvent, such as a ketone, alcohol or glycol ether. These solutions may contain a surface active agent (for example to improve water dilution or prevent crystallisation in a spray tank).

Emulsifiable concentrates (EC) or oil-in-water emulsions (LW) may be prepared by dissolving the active ingredients in an organic solvent (optionally containing one or more wetting agents, one or more emulsifying agents or a mixture of said agents). Suitable organic solvents for use in ECs include aromatic hydrocarbons (such as alkylbenzenes or alkylnaphthalenes, exemplified by SOLVESSO 100, SOLVESSO 150 and SOLVESSO 200; SOLVESSO is a Registered Trade Mark), ketones (such as cyclohexanone or methylcyclohexanone) and alcohols (such as benzyl alcohol, furfuryl alcohol or butanol), N-alkylpyrrolidones (such as N-methylpyrrolidone or N-octylpyrrolidone), dimethyl amides of fatty acids (such as C₈-C₁₀ fatty acid dimethylamide) and chlorinated hydrocarbons. An EC product may spontaneously emulsify on addition to water, to produce an emulsion with sufficient stability to allow spray application through appropriate equipment. Preparation of an EW involves obtaining the active ingredients either as a liquid (if it is not a liquid at room temperature, it may be melted at a reasonable temperature, typically below 70° C.) or in solution (by dissolving it in an appropriate solvent) and then emulsifying the resultant liquid or solution into water containing one or more SFAs, under high shear, to produce an emulsion. Suitable solvents for use in EWs include vegetable oils, chlorinated hydrocarbons (such as chlorobenzenes), aromatic solvents (such as alkylbenzenes or alkylnaphthalenes) and other appropriate organic solvents which have a low solubility in water.

Microemulsions (ME) may be prepared by mixing water with a blend of one or more solvents with one or more SFAs, to produce spontaneously a thermodynamically stable isotropic liquid formulation. The active ingredients are present initially in either the water or the solvent/SFA blend. Suitable solvents for use in MEs include those hereinbefore described for use in in ECs or in EWs. An ME may be either an oil-in-water or a water-in-oil system (which system is present may be determined by conductivity measurements) and may be suitable for mixing water-soluble and oil-soluble pesticides in the same formulation. An ME is suitable for dilution into water, either remaining as a microemulsion or forming a conventional oil-in-water emulsion.

Suspension concentrates (SC) may comprise aqueous or non-aqueous suspensions of finely divided insoluble solid particles of the active ingredients. SCs may be prepared by ball or bead milling the active ingredients in a suitable medium, optionally with one or more dispersing agents, to produce a fine particle suspension of the compound. One or more wetting agents may be included in the composition and a suspending agent may be included to reduce the rate at which the particles settle. Alternatively, the active ingredients may be dry milled and added to water, containing agents hereinbefore described, to produce the desired end product.

Aerosol formulations comprise the active ingredients and a suitable propellant (for example n-butane). The active ingredients may also be dissolved or dispersed in a suitable medium (for example water or a water miscible liquid, such as n-propanol) to provide compositions for use in non-pressurised, hand-actuated spray pumps.

The active ingredients may be mixed in the dry state with a pyrotechnic mixture to form a composition suitable for generating, in an enclosed space, a smoke containing the compound.

Capsule suspensions (CS) may be prepared in a manner similar to the preparation of EW formulations but with an additional polymerisation stage such that an aqueous dispersion of oil droplets is obtained, in which each oil droplet is encapsulated by a polymeric shell and contains the active ingredients and, optionally, a carrier or diluent therefor. The polymeric shell may be produced by either an interfacial polycondensation reaction or by a coacervation procedure. The compositions may provide for controlled release of the active ingredients and they may be used for seed treatment. the active ingredients may also be formulated in a biodegradable polymeric matrix to provide a slow, controlled release of the compound.

A composition may include one or more additives to improve the biological performance of the composition (for example by improving wetting, retention or distribution on surfaces; resistance to rain on treated surfaces; or uptake or mobility of the active ingredients). Such additives include surface active agents, spray additives based on oils, for example certain mineral oils or natural plant oils (such as soy bean and rape seed oil), and blends of these with other bio-enhancing adjuvants (ingredients which may aid or modify the action of the active ingredients.

The active ingredients may also be formulated for use as a seed treatment, for example as a powder composition, including a powder for dry seed treatment (DS), a water soluble powder (SS) or a water dispersible powder for slurry treatment (WS), or as a liquid composition, including a flowable concentrate (FS), a solution (LS) or a capsule suspension (CS). The preparations of DS, SS, WS, FS and LS compositions are very similar to those of, respectively, DP, SP, WP, SC and DC compositions described above. Compositions for treating seed may include an agent for assisting the adhesion of the composition to the seed (for example a mineral oil or a film-forming barrier).

Wetting agents, dispersing agents and emulsifying agents may be surface SFAs of the cationic, anionic, amphoteric or non-ionic type.

Suitable SFAs of the cationic type include quaternary ammonium compounds (for example cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide), imidazolines and amine salts.

Suitable anionic SFAs include alkali metals salts of fatty acids, salts of aliphatic monoesters of sulphuric acid (for example sodium lauryl sulphate), salts of sulphonated aromatic compounds (for example sodium dodecylbenzenesulphonate, calcium dodecylbenzenesulphonate, butylnaphthalene sulphonate and mixtures of sodium di-isopropyl-and and tri-isopropyl-naphthalene sulphonates), ether sulphates, alcohol ether sulphates (for example sodium laureth-3-sulphate), ether carboxylates (for example sodium laureth-3-carboxylate), phosphate esters (products from the reaction between one or more fatty alcohols and phosphoric acid (predominately mono-esters) or phosphorus pentoxide (predominately di-esters), for example the reaction between lauryl alcohol and tetraphosphoric acid; additionally these products may be ethoxylated), sulphosuccinamates, paraffin or olefine sulphonates, taurates and lignosulphonates.

Suitable SPAs of the amphoteric type include betaines, propionates and glycinates.

Suitable SFAs of the non-ionic type include condensation products of alkylene oxides, such as ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide or mixtures thereof, with fatty alcohols (such as oleyl alcohol or cetyl alcohol) or with alkylphenols (such as octylphenol, nonylphenol or octylcresol); partial esters derived from long chain fatty acids or hexitol anhydrides; condensation products of said partial esters with ethylene oxide; block polymers (comprising ethylene oxide and propylene oxide); alkanolamides; simple esters (for example fatty acid polyethylene glycol esters); amine oxides (for example lauryl dimethyl amine oxide); and lecithins.

Suitable suspending agents include hydrophilic colloids (such as polysaccharides, polyvinylpyrrolidone or sodium carboxymethylcellulose) and swelling clays (such as bentonite or attapulgite).

The active ingredients may be applied by any of the known means of applying pesticidal or fungicidal compounds. For example, it may be applied, formulated or unformulated, to the pests or to a locus of the pests (such as a habitat of the pests, or a growing plant liable to infestation by the pests) or to any part of the plant, including the foliage, stems, branches or roots, to the seed before it is planted or to other media in which plants are growing or are to be planted (such as soil surrounding the roots, the soil generally, paddy water or hydroponic culture systems), directly or it may be sprayed on, dusted on, applied by dipping, applied as a cream or paste formulation, applied as a vapour or applied through distribution or incorporation of a composition (such as a granular composition or a composition packed in a water-soluble bag) in soil or an aqueous environment.

The active ingredients may also be incorporated into bait stations used to attract and control pests.

The active ingredients may also be incorporated into materials used in the construction or agricultural industries. They may, for example, be incorporated into plastics films or sheets used in the construction of buildings to protect them from pests such as termites.

The active ingredients may also be injected into plants or sprayed onto vegetation using electrodynamic spraying techniques or other low volume methods, or applied by land or aerial irrigation systems.

Compositions for use as aqueous preparations (aqueous solutions or dispersions) are generally supplied in the form of a concentrate containing a high proportion of the active ingredient, the concentrate being added to water before use. These concentrates, which may include DCs, SCs, ECs, EWs, MEs SGs, SPs, WPs, WGs and CSs, are often required to withstand storage for prolonged periods and, after such storage, to be capable of addition to water to form aqueous preparations which remain homogeneous for a sufficient time to enable them to be applied by conventional spray equipment. Such aqueous preparations may contain varying amounts of the active ingredients (for example 0.0001 to 10%, by weight) depending upon the purpose for which they are to be used.

The active ingredients may be used in mixtures with fertilisers (for example nitrogen-, potassium- or phosphorus-containing fertilisers). Suitable formulation types include granules of fertiliser. The mixtures suitably contain up to 25% by weight of the active ingredients. The invention therefore also provides a fertiliser composition comprising a fertiliser and the active ingredients.

The amount of composition of the present invention generally applied for the control of insect pests gives a rate of active ingredient from 0.01 to 10 kg per hectare, preferably from 0.1 to 6 kg per hectare.

The mixture of the invention is preferably presented in a single composition. However the components may be presented in separate containers, one containing gamma-cyhalothrin optionally in combination with a solid or liquid diluent, and the second containing a further active ingredient optionally in combination with a solid or liquid diluent. Alternatively the components may be presented in a two pack-container, one compartment of which contains gamma-cyhalothrin optionally in combination with a solid or liquid diluent and a second compartment which contains a further active ingredient optionally in combination with a solid or liquid diluent.

The contents of the two containers or the two compartments can then be admixed, for example by mixing both in water prior to administration.

In another aspect the present invention provides a method of combating insect, acarine or nematode include insect pests such as Lepidoptera, Diptera, Homoptera and Coleoptera (including Diabrotica, that is, corn rootworm), pests associated with agriculture (which term includes the growing of crops for food and fibre products), horticulture and animal husbandry, forestry, the storage of products of vegetable origin, such as fruit, grain and timber, and also those pests associated with the transmission of diseases of man and animals. Examples of insect and acarine pest species include: Myzus persicae (aphid), Aphis gossypiei (aphid), Aphis fabae (aphid), Aedes aegypti (mosquito), Anopheles spp. (mosquitos), Culex spp. (mosquitos), Dysdercus fasciatus (capsid), Musca domestica (housefly), Pieris brassicae (white butterfly), Plutella xylostella (diamond back moth), Phaedon cochleariae (mustard beetle), Aonidiella spp. (scale insects), Trialeurodes spp. (white flies), Bemisia tabaci (white fly), Blattella germanica (cockroach), Periplaneta americana (cockroach), Blatta orientalis (cockroach) Spodoptera littoralis (cotton leafworm), Heliothis virescens (tobacco budworm) Chortiocetes terminifera (locust), Diabrotica spp. (rootworms), Agrotis spp. (cutworms), Chilo partellus (maize stem borer), Nilaparvata lugens (planthopper), Nephotettix cincticeps (leafhopper), Panonychus ulmi (European red mite), Panonychus citri (citrus red mite), Tetranychus urticae (two-spotted spider mite), Tetranychus ni, Tetranychus cinnabarinus (carmine spider mite), Phyllcoptruta oleivora (citrus rust mite), Polyphagotarsonemus latus (broad mite) and Brevipalpus spp. (mites).

Examples of pest species which may be controlled by the compositions of the invention include: Myzus persicae (aphid), Aphis gossypii (aphid), Aphis fabae (aphid), Lygus spp. (capsids), Dysdercus spp. (capsids), Nilaparvata lugens (planthopper), Nephotettixc incticeps (leafhopper), Nezara spp. (stinkbugs), Euschistus spp. (stinkbugs), Leptocorisa spp. (stinkbugs), Frankliniella occidentalis (thrip), Thrips spp. (thrips), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Colorado potato beetle), Anthonomus grandis (boil weevil), Aonidiella spp. (scale insects), Trialeurodes spp. (white flies), Bemisia tabaci (white fly), Ostrinia nubilalis (European corn borer), Spodoptera littoralis (cotton leafworm), Heliothis virescens (tobacco budworm), Helicoverpa armigera (cotton bollworm), Helicoverpa zea (cotton bollworm), Sylepta derogata (cotton leaf roller), Pieris brassicae (white butterfly), Plutella xylostella (diamond back moth), Agrotis spp. (cutwomis), Chilo suppressalis (rice stem borer), Locusta _(—) migratoria (locust), Chortiocetes terminifera (locust), Diabrotica spp. (rootworms), Panonychus ulmi (European red mite), Panonychus citri (citrus red mite), Tetranychus urticae (two-spotted spider mite), Tetranychus cinnabarinus (carmine spider mite), Phyllocoptruta oleivora (citrus rust mite), Polyphagotarsonemus latus (broad mite), Brevipalpus spp. (flat mites), Boophilus microplus (cattle tick), Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick), Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea), Liriomyza spp. (leafminer), Musca domestica (housefly), Aedes aegypti (mosquito), Anopheles spp. (mosquitoes), Culex spp. (mosquitoes), Lucillia spp. (blowflies), Blattella germanica (cockroach), Periplaneta americana (cockroach), Blatta orientalis (cockroach), termites of the Mastotermitidae (for example Mastotennes spp.), the Kalotermitidae (for example Neotennes spp.), the Rhinotermitidae (for example Coptotermes formosanus, Reticulitermes flavipes, R. speratu, R. virginicus, R. hesperus, and R. santonensis) and the Termitidae (for example Globitermes sulphureus), Solenopsis geminata (fire ant), Monomorium pharaonis (pharaoh's ant), Damalinia spp. and Linognathus spp. (biting and sucking lice), Meloidogyne spp. (root knot nematodes), Globodera spp. and Heterodera spp. (cyst nematodes), Pratylenchus spp. (lesion nematodes), Rhodopholus spp. (banana burrowing nematodes), Tylenchulus spp. (citrus nematodes), Haemonchus contortus (barber pole worm), Caenorhabditis elegans_(vinegar eelworm), Trichostrongylus spp. (gastro intestinal nematodes) and Deroceras reticulatum (slug).

The invention therefore provides a method of combating and controlling insects, acarines, nematodes or molluscs which comprises applying an insecticidally, acaricidally, nematicidally or molluscicidally effective amount of a mixture containing gamma-cyhalothrin and one or more compounds possessing insecticidal, nematicidal, acaricidal, molluscicidal, fungicidal, plant growth regulating or herbicidal activity to a pest, a locus of pest, or to a plant susceptible to attack by a pest, to a seed of a plant, to the locus of the plant or seed, to soil or to any other growth medium (for example a nutrient solution).

The term “plant” as used herein includes seedlings, bushes and trees. Furthermore, the fungicidal method of the invention includes protectant, curative, systemic, eradicant and antisporulant treatments.

The invention is illustrated by the following Examples.

EXAMPLE 1

Test compositions were made up from technical active ingredient in 0.05% Synperonic NP8 with the exception of spinosad, for which Tracer 480SC diluted in water was used. For Heliothis and Spodoptera testing cotton leaves were sprayed in a Berkhard Potter Tower, left to dry for 1 hour and then placed on the top of pots containing twenty 1st instar Heliothis virescens/Spodoptera littoralis larvae. These were stored in a test holding room at 25° C. for 3 days and the test species assessed for mortality. For aphid testing Leaf discs were cut from excised Chinese cabbage leaves and placed on agar in test pots. R2 Myzus persicae were transferred from the culture on radish cotyledons and left overnight. The dried cotyledons were removed, leaving approximately 20-25 aphids on each leaf disc. The pots were sprayed in a Berkhard Potter Tower. Once dry, ventilated lids were placed on the top. These were stored in a Weiss Room at 20° C. for 3 days and the test species assessed for mortality. All tests included a Synperonic NP8 control. The results of the mortality assessments were adjusted for any mortality seen in the control test and analysed using the Colby equation to compare the mortality achieved with the mixture at each ratio to that expected from the individual ai's applied alone at the same rate. Any increase in the expected amount of mortality may be attributed to synergism. This is calculated in the following way: Expected mortality from mixture=% mortality of mixture partner A+(100%−% mortality of A)*(% mortality of mixture partner B). The results are set out in Tables I-III. TABLE I Results for test using Heliothis virescens Rates applied Expected % (ppm) Observed % mortality mortality Observed- Mixture partner Ratio (gamma:ai's) Gamma Other ai Gamma Other ai Mixture with mixture expected Abamectin 1:1 0.25 0.25 28 0 36 28 8 1:1 0.50 0.50 28 0 25 28 −3 1:1 1.00 1.00 32 0 43 30 13 1:2 0.25 0.50 32 0 29 32 −3 1:2 0.50 1.00 32 0 43 32 11 2:1 0.50 0.25 46 0 43 46 −3 2:1 1.00 0.50 46 0 64 46 18 Emamectin benzoate 1:1 0.25 0.25 28 97 100 98 2 1:1 0.50 0.50 28 96 99 97 2 2:1 0.25 0.13 32 97 100 98 2 2:1 0.50 0.25 32 96 100 97 3 2:1 1.00 0.50 32 99 100 99 1 4:1 0.50 0.13 46 96 100 98 2 4:1 1.00 0.25 46 99 100 99 1 Spinosad 2:1 0.25 0.13 28 33 67 52 14 2:1 0.50 0.25 32 42 89 60 29 4:1 0.25 0.06 28 44 79 60 19 4:1 0.50 0.13 32 33 65 55 11 4:1 1.00 0.25 46 42 93 68 25 8:1 0.50 0.0625 32 44 72 62 10 8:1 1.00 0.13 46 33 65 64 1 Chlorpyrifos  1:05 0.50 2.50 28 36 42 54 −13  1:05 1.00 5.00 28 29 49 49 −1  1:10 0.25 2.50 32 36 29 57 −27  1:10 0.50 5.00 32 29 49 52 −3  1:10 1.00 10.00 32 44 71 62 9  1:20 0.25 5.00 46 29 56 62 −6  1:20 0.50 10.00 46 44 63 70 −7 Indoxacarb 1.25:1   0.25 0.20 28 26 40 47 −7 1.25:1   0.50 0.40 28 22 40 44 −4 1.25:1   1.00 0.80 32 26 40 50 −10   1:1.6 0.25 0.40 32 22 44 47 −3   1:1.6 0.50 0.80 32 46 60 63 −3 2.5:1   0.50 0.20 46 22 46 58 −12 2.5:1   1.00 0.40 46 46 71 71 0 Lambda-cyhalothrin 1:1 0.25 0.25 28 46 43 61 −18 1:1 0.50 0.50 28 50 41 64 −23 1:1 1.00 1.00 32 46 35 63 −28 1:2 0.25 0.50 32 50 39 66 −27 1:2 0.50 1.00 32 52 38 67 −30 2:1 0.50 0.25 46 50 32 73 −41 2:1 1.00 0.50 46 52 46 74 −28

TABLE II Results for test using Spodoptera littoralis Rates applied Expected % (ppm) Observed % mortality mortality Observed- Mixture partner Ratio (gamma:ai's) Gamma Other ai Gamma Other ai Mixture with mixture expected Emamectin benzoate 10:1  0.025 0.0025 0 0 22 0 22 10:1  0.05 0.005 25 6 51 29 22 10:1  0.1 0.01 90 0 82 90 −8 20:1  0.05 0.0025 25 0 32 25 7 20:1  0.1 0.005 90 6 66 90 −24 5:1 0.025 0.005 0 6 46 6 40 5:1 0.05 0.01 25 0 76 25 51 Spinosad  1:10 0.025 0.25 0 0 79 0 79  1:10 0.05 0.5 25 29 96 47 49   1:2.5 0.05 0.125 25 0 59 25 34   1:2.5 0.1 0.25 90 0 99 90 9 1:5 0.025 0.125 0 0 34 0 34 1:5 0.05 0.25 25 0 82 25 57 1:5 0.1 0.5 90 29 100 93 7

TABLE III Results for test using (Myzus persicae) Rate applied Expected % (ppm) Observed % mortality mortality Observed- Mixture partner Ratio (gamma:ai's) Gamma Other ai Gamma Other Mixture with mixture expected Thiamethoxam  1:10 0.25 2.5 70 92 100 97 3  1:10 0.5 5 69 94 100 98 2   1:2.5 0.5 1.25 69 70 100 91 9   1:2.5 1.0 2.5 98 92 100 100 0 1:5 0.25 1.25 70 70 100 91 9 1:5 0.5 2.5 69 92 100 97 3 1:5 1.0 5 98 94 100 100 0 Lambda-cyhalothrin 1:1 0.25 0.25 70 4 92 71 21 1:1 0.5 0.5 69 14 96 73 23 1:2 0.25 0.125 70 10 66 73 −7 1:2 1.0 0.5 98 14 100 98 2 2:1 0.5 0.25 69 4 100 70 30 4:1 0.5 0.125 69 10 98 72 26 4:1 1.0 0.25 98 4 100 98 2 

1. A mixture of gamma-cyhalothrin and one or more further active ingredients having insecticidal, nematicidal or acaricidal activity wherein the further active ingredient is one or more of thiamethoxam, abamectin, emamectin benzoate, spinosad, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, profenofos, lufenuron, indoxacarb, lambda-cyhalothrin, pymetrozine, methidathion, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, thiacloprid, fipronil, methoxyfenozide, chlorfenapyr, pyridaben, novaluron, pyridalyl and piperonyl butoxide.
 2. A mixture according to claim 1 wherein the further active ingredient is one or more of thiamethoxam, abamectin, emamectin benzoate, spinosad, chlorpyrifos, profenofos, lufenuron, indoxacarb and lambda-cyhalothrin.
 3. An insecticidal composition comprising gamma-cyhalothrin and one or more further active ingredients having insecticidal, nematicidal or acaricidal activity wherein the further active ingredient is one or more of thiamethoxam, abamectin, emamectin benzoate, spinosad, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, profenofos, lufenuron, indoxacarb, lambda-cyhalothrin, pymetrozine, methidathion, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, thiacloprid, fipronil, methoxyfenozide, chlorfenapyr, pyridaben, novaluron, pyridalyl and piperonyl butoxide, an insecticidally inert carrier or diluent and, optionally, one or more surface active agents.
 4. A method of combating and controlling insect, acarine or nematode pests at a locus which comprises treating the pests or the locus of the pests with an effective amount of a mixture comprising gamma-cyhalothrin and one or more further active ingredients having insecticidal, nematicidal or acaricidal activity wherein the further active ingredient is one or more of thiamethoxam, abamectin, emamectin benzoate, spinosad, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, profenofos, lufenuron, indoxacarb, lambda-cyhalothrin, pymetrozine, methidathion, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, thiacloprid, fipronil, methoxyfenozide, chlorfenapyr, pyridaben, novaluron, pyridalyl and piperonyl butoxide.
 5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the pests are insect pests of growing plants. 